Perforating device



June 6, 1944. L v. wHl'sTLER E TAL PERFORATING DEVICE Filed oct. 27, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 Patented June 6, 1944 TENT GFMC'E assaut maremma naviera Lawrence V. Whistler and Sanford A. Whistler, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application October 27, 1941, Serial No. 416,691

Our invention relates to perforating equipment tor use in punch presses.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide perforating equipment whereby the stock to be perforated may have the perforations therein more closely spaced apart than has heretofore been possible; also. to provide perforating umts for this purpose which may be individually positioned with respect to other units in an assembly of units, and at the same time measurably reduce the setting-up time, all with assurance of more accuracy than has been possible heretofore.

Another object of our invention is to associate perforating units with die and punch-holder retaining-plates prepared for the assembly of perforating units, so that the units may be conveniently and quickly applied to-such plates with certainty that perfect alinement of co-acting members of each unit is had, and with further assurance that the centers of the punch and die elements of the assembly of units lare positively and accurately spaced apart according to predetermined measurement; also whereby the punch and die umts can be very closely centered one with respect to another or others, depending on the number of punch and die units employed in an assembly.

A further object of our invention is to employ a template fashioned with thevarious perforations therein accurately spaced apart and centered with respect to each other in exactly the manner in which the stock to be perforated is intended to leave the press, either as a complete article or for further manipulation thereon, such template being utilized to prepare our punch and die-holder retaining-plates so thatthese plates can be drilled simultaneously while set one upon the other to form holes for setting-up pins and holes for dowel or pilot pins forming part of or at least projecting from the two members of each perforating unit, such dowel pins having their longitudinal axes alinedvwith the axes of the die in the die-holder retaining member and the-punch of the punch-holder retaining member.

A further object of our invention is to form the punch and die-holder retaining-plates in the manner last described, and also to form therein holes t'o receive fastening means by means of which punch and die-members are fastened to such plates, such fastening means being preferably in the form of screw. bolts which have a definitely spaced relation to the longitudinal axes of the dowel or pilot pins so that when the holes are drilled and tapped in said punch and die-holder spaced apart and otherwise relatively positioned by means of setting-up devices, it is only necessary to position the punch and die-members on these plates according to the. pairs of holes provided-therein, one of each pair beingl vfor a dowel or pilot pin of the 'punch-member and the other for the fastening screw bolt, while the co-acting pair of holes in the co-operating plate is like- -wise used to position the die-member thereto by means of its dowel or pilot pin and fastening screw bolt.

A further object of our invention is to provide perforating equipment including therein punch and die-holder retaining-plates which are used as a pair and applied or secured in any suitable manner within a die-set or press, one to the shoe of the die-set or to the bed of the press, as the case may be; and the other to the ram of the die-set or press, such plates having removably secured thereto the punch and die-members, respectively, of a perforating unit or a plurality of such units, so that when applied in the die-set or press, setting-up means comprising setting-up pins are only necessary to be entered in setting-up holes formed in the two retaining-plates, with assurance' that when these plates are fastened in place within the die-set, or the press, all perforatlng units will function as intended; not only as to their spacing, but also in relation to -the punch and die-members of each perforating unit, since these punch and die-members, after once being positioned on the retaining-plates, may be retained thereon, or lthey may be removed therefrom individually or as a complete set-up and if required for use in the same relation-,may be quickly positioned and fastened on the plates.

With the above and other objects to appear hereinafter, our invention relates to the novel method of producing and applying perforatlng equipment; to the novel means employed in establishing such equipment; also to the construction, arrangement, and combination ai' Darts to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the sub-joined claims.

In the drawings,

Fis. 1 is a sectional elevation of a die-shoe having our improved perforating equipment attached thereto, the sectional part being taken through line I-I, Fig. 2, looldng in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2,

Fig.3 is a detached perspective view of one o! the setting-up pins and its spacing bushing.

retaining-plates, and such plates are definitely Fis. 4 is a detached perspective lview of a template having holes 'or perforations therein, according to which the punch and die-holder retaining-plates will be simultaneously drilled. These holes or perforations are shown arranged in a different manner than those illustrated in other figures of the drawings, with a view of better disclosing how our perforating units may be employed under any of various arrangements.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the die-holder retainingplate, the punch-holder retaining-plate being similar in appearance and construction, with or pilot pins and the securing screw-bolts are oppositely disposed with relation to the longitudinal center of these plates.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a perforating unit and portions of the punch and dieholder retaining-plates to which the members of the perforating unit are secured; showing also portions of the shoe of a die-set or the bed of a press and the ram of a die-set or press. r

Fig. 'l is a central longitudinal section through a co-operating couple of retaining-plates in association with a template according to which the plates are to be drilled, these parts being arranged in laminated form and illustrating the plates after being drilled to conform to the holes in the template.

Fig. 8 is a detached side elevation of the stripper unit. y

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section looking down, taken on line 9-9, Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view of one of the die-holders or members and the die therein.

Fig. 11 is a detached perspective view of the clip for retaining the stripper unit laround the punch of the punch-member.

In the drawings we have associated our punch and die equipment with a die-set having a ram and a shoe or bed, the ram being illustrated as movable toward and from the bed, but it is to be understood that where hereinafter a ram and a shoe or bed are referred toit may also mean the ram and bed of a punch press. y

In the drawings, the reference numeral l2 designates the shoe of a die-set, and I3 the ram thereof, the shoe having guide. posts Il extending, upwardly therefrom and the ram guide sleeves I5 secured thereinand projecting downwardly therefrom into which the guide posts YI4 are slidably ntted. The ram has a shank I6 secured vthereto by means of which it may be fastened to the ram of-a press.

- In the use of our equipment, we employ av punch-holder retaining-plate I1 which may be secured to the under side of theram I3 in any approved manner. and a die-holder retainingplate I8 is vseated against the shoe of the die-set and fastened thereto in any approved manner. These retaining-*plates are provided with a pair of setting-up pin-holes I9 which may be referred to as mast pilot-holes, and in some instances, particularly where the article or stock to be perforated is of considerable size requiring comparatively large retaining-plates, such Vholes may be increased in number, for instance` as shown by dotted lines I9' in Fig. 5. These retainingplates .have also any number of` holes 2li, 2l drilled therein or therethrough which are respectively referred to as dowel or pilot-pin holes and holes for securing elements. The holes 20 and 2| i are arranged in pairs and may be formed at any desired points in the retaining-plates. In Figs.

2 and 5 some of these pairs of holes are shown in close proximity to each other, and in the parthe exception that the openings for the dowelf ticular embodiment of our invention illustrated, the securing elements are oi' larger diameter than the dowel or pilot-pins, both of which will be hereinaftermore particularly described. The holes I9, 20, and 2l are drilled in the retainingplates in accordance with holes I9, i9", and I9 formed in a template 22. The holes I9'l determine the locations of the setting-up pins, to be hereinafter described, and the holes I9b and I9 the locations of the aforesaid dowel or pilot-pins and the securing elements, respectively.

In the act of -preparing the punch and dieholder retainingplatestwo sheets or plaies of steel or other suitable metal of the desired outline are mounted one upon the other, and the template placed over the so arranged retaining plates, thereby forming a somewhat laminated structure, as shown in Fig. '1; the upper lamina, or the template to be more particular, having been preformed with the various holes which are to be duplicated in each of the plates or two lower laminae bydrilllng through them while using the holes in the template as guides or gauges. 'I'he plates when drilled in conformity with the template, serve as thev punch and dieholder retaining-plates. This laminated structure in which the laminae are clamped or temporarily fastened together in any suitable manner vwhile drilling the two lower laminae, may be easily disassembled after removing the clamps therefrom orY otherwise separating them, and these plates I1 and I9 are then used in the manner shown in Fig. l. The holes 2li and 2| are used respectively for positioning and axially alining the punch and die of each punch-and-die unit, or more particularly each perforating unit, and fastening the members of the unit to the plates, as will more particularly appear hereinafter.

In order to derive the benefits of this equipment to its highest degree, the punch-member 23 and the die-member 24 each have a comparatively long and narrow body portion 25, 26, respectively, which together with their respective parts form a perforating unit. The body portion 25 of each punch-member has a pilot or so as to project a distance from its upper surfacewhlle the body portion of each die-member 26 has a pilotor dowel-pin 28 driven or otherwise fastened therein and projecting a distance beneath its lower surface. 'I'he pilot or dowelpins 21 and 28 are fitted into the openings 29 in the punch-holder lretaining-plate I1 and dieholder retaining-plate I8, respectively, and the axes of these pilot or dowel-pins determine the axis of a perforation to be formed in the stock introduced between the punch and die-members.

The body portion 25 of each punch-member is bored out from the bottom, as at 29, and from one end thereof, as at 30, the bore 3l being tapped to receive a securing screw II which is threaded rmly against a reduced portion of a punch I2 entered in the bore 29 from the bottom of the body portion 25. In thismanner the punch is p into which the lower end or punch terminal 91 of the punch is entered, this punch terminal being normally retained within the opening lt when the spring 38 is fully expanded. It may here be statedthat punches having various size punch terminals may be fastened into the body portion of the punch-member. and when a punch having a punch terminal of larger diameter than shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings is`requii'ed. a stripper-unit whose disk has an opening Il of larger diameter is necessarily employed. 'lhis stripper-unit, being positioned around the punch. is retained thereon. by means of a clip Il having two arms arranged at a right angle one to the other so that onel is horizontally disposed and enters the spiral spring .between two convolutions thereof while the other is vertically disposed and has a screw hole I! punched therethrough which is alined with a tapped opening lo in the body portion 2l. Through the screw hole $9 a securing screw Il is passed which is punch-member and exactly that between the axis of the die and the extended axis of the securing screw of the die-member 24. registration ofthe punch and die cannot be otherwise than perfect.

- and the mere placement and securing in place of the two members of a sures such perfection.

By reason of the punch and die members being perforating unit assecured to retainer plates in the manner dealso be eiected when it is found that 'certain punches or dies require redressing. since no inthreaded into the tapped opening l0, thus firmly securing the clip 38 in position to retain the stripper-unit around the punch.

The body portion of each punch-member 23 also has an opening 42 therethrough which is enlarged at its lower end, as at 43. A securing screw I4 is passed through said opening and threaded into one of the holes 2l formed in the punch-holder retaining-plate i'l, the head ll of said securing screw nrmly engaging the shoulder formed in the hole 42 by enlarging the lower end thereof.

The body portion 26 of the die-member 2t Ahas a die-bushing or retainer 46 welded or otherwise secured to its upper surface, and it has an opening Il formed therein which is reduced in diameter or transverse dimensin at its lower end to form an upwardly-facing shoulder or dieseat 48, and in this die-bushing or retainer a die I9 is placed which has a punch-receiving hole therethrough conforming at its upper end to the punch terminal of the co-acting punch 32, so

that when stock is placed between the punchmember and the die-member of one or more perforating units, it is perforated by the punch. The slug or slugs pass through the die and the diebushing or retainer and enter a curved slug discharge passage 5D which opens to one end of the body portion 26 and delivers the slugs onto the die-holder retaining-plate I8, from which the various slugs accumulated thereon maybe removed under air pressure, or in any `other manner.

Like the punch-member of each perforating unit, the die-member is also provided with an opening or screw hole 5i which may be enlarged at its upper end, and in this hole is placed a securing screw 52 which is passed through the body portion of the die-member and has its lower end threaded into one of the tapped holes 2l formed in the die-holder retaining-plate i8. It is of course understood that each of the pilot or dowel pins 2l and 28, which may be more particularly referred to as locating pins for a perforating unit, are axially alined with the punch 32.

and die 49 of the unit to which these several parts belong. The under surface of the body portion of said die-member is at a perfect right angle to the axis of the die 49. Thus, when placing `the locating pins in the holes`20 of t"e respective retaining-plates, assurance will be had that the holes punched in the stock will be exdividual 'punch member or die member which may be found functioning improperly can now beremoved and replaced without disturbing any of the other punch or die members of the assembly and without the necessity of removing the retainerplates, or even disturbing their relative positions.

` Duetothe fact that the width of the body portions of the respective members of each perforating unit need be no wider than the diameter of the spring 3l of the stripper unit -in the case oi.' the punch-member, and no wider than is necessary to form the die-bushing or retainer I8 in order to receive the die and by reason of the punches and dies being located at one of the iends of the body portions, it is quite apparent that stock can be punched or otherwise perforated with the centers of the perforations exceedingly close to each other andl that the series of punch and die elements can attain such close relationship by movement relatively in three directions.

Although we have illustrated slight spaces between the several punch-members, and also between the several die-members, these members can be placed directly in contact one with another, side to side or end to end, sothat the openings in the stock being punched can be even closer than illustrated by the spacing 'of the holes 20 and 2l shown in Fig. 5.

The two retaining-plates il and i8 preferably have the various perforating units 'secured thereto before positioning the same in the die-set, because the various holes formed in these retaining plates definitely determine the locations and respective centers of the perforatlng units. If desired, howactly as-located in the template 22, and since each of these holes 20 is paired with a tapped hole 2l, definitely spaced center to center with the space so provided exactly that between the axes of the punch and securing screw of the ever, these retaining-plates may be positioned in the die-set and the perforating units applied after positioning and fastening the retainingplates in place. In either case, however. we employ master setting-up devices to accurately position the plates relatively. In Fig. i we have shown the punch and die holder retaining-plates separated a definite distance by utilizing the setting-up devices I3 for this purpose. In the particular setting-up device shown, master settingup pins Sil are entered through spacer-bushings 55 with opposite ends of these pins projecting from the bushings and entered in the setting-uppin-holes i8 in the two spaced-apart retainingplates. The end surfaces of each bushing 55 are parallel to each other and at a perfect right angle to its master setting-up pin 54, so that the lower end surface ot each bushing rests upon the dieholder retaining-plate i8 while the punch-holder retaining-plate Il rests against the upper end surface of said bushing. In this manner all openings in the two retaining-plates are matched one the matched holes arranged in with another and l perfect vertical alinement, and assurance is had of the retaining-plates being in perfect parallelyism during the act of adjusting said plates relatively. Therefore all parts carried or supported by these retaining-plates are positioned in exact accordance with the template Il, according to which the stock or material to beoperated upon will be perforated.

The two retaining-plates l1 and Il, with or without the perforating units attached thereto, which may be a matter of choice, are secured to the ram and shoe of the die-set in any approved manner. If perforating. umts are secured to these retaining-plates before securing the latter in the die-set. the two members of each unit will be in perfect registration when said plates are secured in place. If the perforating umts are secured to the retaining-plates after fastening the latter in place, 'assurance will be had that when such umts are fastened to the retaining-plates, perfect registration of the two-members of each unit must be had. After fastening the two retaining-plates I1 and I8 to their respective backings or foundations, as the ram and shoe of the die-set may be termed, the ram may be elevated so that the space between the vunder surface of the punch-holder retaining-plate and theupper surface of the die-holder retaining-plate will be greater than the length of the master setting-up pins 53, after which the two or more master setting-up devices, depending on the number it is desired to use and the size of the retaining-plates,

can be easily removed. In using the term mas ter setting-up devices we include the master setting-up pins 54 and thespacing bushings i5, or any other device serving the same purpose.

Although in Fig. l we have shown the master setting-up devices vin use, the spacing between the punch-member and the die-member rof the several perforating units shown may be that of greatest opening of the press or die-setv during the operation of perforating, since this space would include the stock ormaterial to be placed between the members of the several perforating umts so that it will be perforated in accordance with a pre-arranged plan, as for example illustrated by the holes 20 and 2l, shown in Fig. 5; or as a further example, according to the holes shown in Fig. 4, which although a view of a template, shows a different arrangement of holes, and when using such template, punch and dieholder retaining-plates will be drilled accordingly.

The disposition of the holes shown in Figs. 4 and 5 merely illustrate that any desired arrangement for setting up the perforatlng units may be had. As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, more perforating units are to be employed than shown therein, since each hole 2l `exposed in Fig. 2 is to receive the pilot or dowel-pin 28 of a die-member and the co-operating hole 2| the screw l2 by means of which said memberis secured to the die-holder retaining-plate I8. Fig. 2 therefore clearly illustrates that there are to be two parallel longitudinal rows of perforating units, each row comprising eight units which are slightly spaced equal distances apart; that there is to be a transverse row of perforating units, five in number, disposed at a right angle to said two parallel rows, and all spaced different distances from each other, and that there are also to be two separate perforating units placed between said two n matassa it nu, however. been round advisable. to better illuati'atethepmofthilinventlonlndtomore particularly set forth its application, to omtzsome of the perforating units in Figs. an

In Fig. 6 the die and punch-members of the perforating unit therein shown are illustrated with the ram of the die-shoe slightly lowered to show the stripper-unit in contact with the upper surface of the die-bushing Il and the dic Il, and the lower end ofthe punch 3l about to enter the die. It is of course imdentood that when such relative positions of the .parts take place. the stock or material to be punched rests upon the die-bushing and die, andthat the stripperunit may have its lower end in contact with the stock or material, and that further downward movement of the ram of the die-set will result in the punch piercing such stock or material and the slug passing down through the die, the lower end of the die-bushing, and forward through the body portion 24 of the die-member so that it may be delivered onto the die-holder retainingplate Il.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the holes 20 in yeach retaining-plate are paired with theholes 2l in such plate, and that these holes so used in pairs are for the purpose of positioning the punch-member and the diemember on the retaining-plate and securing the same ther'to, each pair oi such holes being associated with a single punch-member or a single die-member. It will also be apparent that the holes 20 in each retaining-plate match or coincide with similar holes 2li .in the co-operating plate, and that this is also true with respect to the holes 2i, and that these holes 2l and 2l are matched or positioned so that their axes are coincident in pairs by the employment of the maior pilot-pins or the setting-up devices, as hereinbefore explained. It should furthermore be apparent that the major pilot or setting-up devices bring about the proper relationship and disposition of the holes 20 in one plate with respect to the holes 20 in the other plate and also the holes 2l, and that the holes 20 are used with pilot elements or pins, also referred to as dowelpins, to position the punch and die-members of each perforating unit in their proper relative positions, and' that the holes 2| are utilized to receive securing screws which are axially alined insofar as the two members of each perforating unit are concerned. 1

Since the pilot holes 2li of the retaining-plates I1 and I8 are used to axially locate the punches and dies of the perforating units, these holes in a broader sense may be termed locating means, and of course under this term as used in the claims, the punches and dies of each perforating unit may be definitely located with respect to their position on the plate or plates by means other than the pilot'holes 2li in the plate and the pilot-pins 21 and 28 forming partof the perforating units. 'I'he die-bushing or retainer l may be constructed cylindrically as shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, or may be made square as shown in Fig. l0, or given any other information.

longitudinal rows of units and the transverse row. 7i;l

While we have shown the use of a template for drilling the holes in the two retaining-plates I1 and I8, these holes may be formed in any other approved manner, such as by marking the centers of the holes on a sheet or plate adapted to be used as a retaining-plate and drilling and reaming the holes to desired size, and by then -utilizing the plate so drilled as a pattern for a second plate. inwhich case the two plates will` be ilrmly, secured together by means of clamps or otherwise. and the impertorate plate drilled through the openings of the prepared plate. Various other means may be used to accomplish this purpose. Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

l. In equipment for perforating sheet me or the like, a pair of punch and die-holder retaining-plates each provided with at least two comparatively large holes and with comparatively small-holes spaced apart according to the perforations to be formed in a sheet of metal, the comparatively large holes in said retaining plates being arranged in pairs with a hole of each pair in the punch-holder retaining-plate axially alined with a hole in the die-holder retaining-plate and with the smaller holes in each plate paired and axially alined with like holes in the other retaining-plate, a master setting-up device between said retaining-plates having parts fitting in eabh pair of said comparatively large holes to temporarily hold said retaining plates in denitely spaced-apart relation and to properly position said retaining-plates relatively, and perforating4 units each having a punch-member anda diemember, said members having setting-up elements forming part thereof iittlng in the comparatively small holes in said retaining-plates so as to position the punch and die of each perforating unit in axial alinement, and means to secure the punch of each perforating unit to one of said retaining-plates and the mating die to the other retaining-plate.

2. In equipment for perforating sheet metal or the like, a pair of punch and die-holder retaining-plates having .pilot holes in each retainingplate paired and axially alined with pilot holes in the other retaining-plate and with additional holes in each retaining-plate paired and axially alined with holes in the other retaining-plate, the last-mentioned pairs of holes being screwthreaded, a master setting-up device co-operating with said retaining-plates to temporarily position the latter in deilnitely spaced-apart relation and to position the holes in said retainingplates relatively in the positions mentioned, and perforating units having pilot pins entered in said pilot holes and securing screws passed through said units and threaded into the threaded holes of said retaining-plates.

3. In equipment for perforating sheet metal or the like, a pair of 'spaced-apart punch and die-holder retaining-plates provided with at least two comparatively large holes and with comparatively small holes spaced apart according to the perforations to be formed in a sheet of metal, the comparatively large holes in said retainingplates being arranged in pairs with a hole of each pair in the punch-holder retaining-plate axially alined with a hole in the die-holder retaining-plate and with the smaller holes in each retaining-plate paired and axially alined with holes in the other retaining-plate, a master setting-up device having parallel upperand lower end surfaces with parts projecting from said end surfaces adapted to be entered in said comparatively large openings so as to position the punchholder retaining-plate in proper relation to the die-holder retaining-plate and to position the smaller holes in said retaining-plates with the axis of each pair of said smaller holes in alinement, the lower end surface of each master setting-up device resting upon one of said retainingplates and the upper end surface thereof being in contact with the other retaining-plate. and. perforating units each comprising a punch-member and a die-member, both members being provided with pilot pins entered in the pilot openings oi' said retaining-plates to position the punch in axial alinement with the .die and with means to secure said punch and die-members to their respective retaining plates.

4. In equipment for perforating sheet metal or the like, two punch and die retaining-plates provided with master setting-up ,openings and smaller pilot openings drilled simultaneously therein while said plates are arranged in superimposed relation, master setting-up means in- 1 terposed between said retaining-plates while in spaced relation to position the punch-holder retaining-plate in proper relation to the die-holder retaining-plate and to position the-smaller pilot openings in said retaining-plates with the axes of each pair of said smaller holes in alinement,

and perforating units each having a punchmember and a die-member, lone for co-action with one of said retaining-plates and the other for co-action with the other retaining-plate, each of said members having a projecting pilot portion entered into a pilot'opening in one of said plates with the punch of each perforating unit axially co-incident with the die of said unit, and means to secure the punch-member of each perforating unit to one of said retaining-plates and the die-members of said unit to the other retaining-plate.

5. In equipment for perforating sheet metal or the like, a pair of plates adapted to be secured respectively to the ram and shoe of a dieset, each of said plates having a pilot hole and a tapped hole, a perforating unit comprising a punch-member and a die-member. said punchmember having a narrow elongated body portion provided with a pilot pin adapted to be entered in the pilot hole of one of said plates and with a bore axially co-incident with the tapped hole in said last-mentioned plate, a securing screw passed through the bore of said body portion from beneath the-latter and threaded into tapped hole, said pilot pin and bore being spaced apart longitudinally of said body portion and the latter having a v'second bore extending upwardly from its lower lend parallel with said rst-mentioned bore and spaced from the latter along the length of said body portion', and a punch entered in said second bore and projecting downwardly therefrom.

6.'In equipment for perforating sheet metal or the like, a"pair of spaced-apart plates adapted to' lbe secured, respectively, to the ram and shoe of a die-set, said plates having pilot holes therein arranged in close proximity to each other and in pairs with each pilot hole in one plate axially alined and paired with a pilot hole in the other plate. perforating units comprising punch and die-members, each punch-member having a comparatively long and narrow punch body portion and a pilot projection near one end adapted to enter a pilot opening in one of said plates, said punch body portions being arranged in parallel relation against said lastmentioned plate and having securingmeans near their other ends accessible from the space between said plates for fastening the said body portions `to said last-mentioned plate, each punch body portion having a punch removably secured therein axially co-incident with the pilot pro- Jection thereof, and each die-member having a comparatively long and narrow die body portion provided. with a pilot projection near one end thereof adaptedto enter a pilot opening in the other of said plates, meansnear the other end of said die body portion also accessible from the space .between said plates to secure the die body portion to said last-mentioned plate and a die secured to said die body portion axially coincident with thepilot projection of the latter and with the punch of said `punch-member. said long and narrow body portions permitting the punch and die ofeach perforating unit to be closely spaced apart bymovement relatively in any of three directions.

7. The method of producing perforating equipment .which consists in forming holes .in two plates yexactly duplicated in number and spacing, in utilizing' certainkof said holes as pilot holes and a like number as securing holes in utilizing the plates so formed in spaced relation with the pilot holes of each axially alined with corresponding pilot holes in the other, in applying perforating 'units to said plates having a punchmember for one plate and" a die-member Vfor the other, each member having a pilot element adapted to be entered in a pilot hole of its cooperating plate to position the punch of said punch-member and the die oi said die-member axially in alinement with each other and with the axes of the holes in which said pilot elements are entered, and in setting-up said plates to space the same apart and relatively position said plates so as to assure axial alinement of said corresponding pilot holes in said plates, and to utilize said securing holes for securing said plates as so spaced."

8. I'he method of producing perforating equipment which consists in establishing locating means for perforating units on two plates so that said locating means are exactly duplicated in number and spacing for such plates, in utilizing the plates so formed in spaced relation with the locating means of each alined with corresponding locating means of the other, in employing setting-up devices interposed in spacedapart relation between said plates to position said plates so as to establish a true alinement of corresponding locating means of both plates while spaced apart, and in applying perforating units comprising punches and dies to such plates and utilizing corresponding locating means 'of said plates to position the punch of each perforating unit axially in alinement with the die thereof and in true alinement with corresponding locating means of said plates, and in kmoving said setting-up means out of coaction with said plates after fastening the latter to machine parts with wtlih said perforating equipment is to be opera 9. The method of producing perforating equipment which consists in forming holes in two plates exactly duplicated in number and spacing, in employing setting-up means to position said plates in exact parallelism, space the same a definite distance apart and bring corresponding Y holes of said plates in axial alinement, in applying perforating means to s aid plates and utilizing corresponding holes toposition the punch and die ot each perforating-unit in axial alinement with said correspondingV holes, in employing means to fasten the pcrforating units to said plates when so positioned. in the use of fastening means for fastening said plates to parts of a machine employed to operate said perforating equipment. and in moving'said setting-up devices out of coaction with said plates to, permit operation of said machine.

l0. 'I'he method of producing perforating .equipment which consists in establishing punchand-die locating means lfortwo plates exactly duplicated in number and'spacing, in employing setting-up means in co-operation with said plates to temporarily position the same in parallelism and. to space the same apart while positioning corresponding locating means of said plates in alinement in planes at right-angles to said'plates so that perforating devices will be attached to said plates according to the locating means of said plates and so that the punches and dies of said perforating devices are spaced apart in conformity with the spacing of the locating devices of each of said plates.

11. The method of producing perforating equipment which consists in establishing punchand-die locating meansv for two plates exactly duplicated in number and spacing for each plate by forming spaced-apart holes in each of said plates'with theholes of one plate matching those ofthe other, in placing setting-up devices between said plates with each setting-up device having portions temporarily holding said plates in alinement so as to position matching holes of said plates in axial alinement and to position said plates in parallelism and in desired spaced-apart relation, and in applying perforating units to opposing faces of said plates with the punch and die of each alined with alined locating means.

12. In perforating means for perforating sheet metal or the like, a punch member comprising a body portion having a punch secured therein and projectingv therefrom, a stripper-unit surrounding said punch and comprising a spiral spring bearing at one end against the underside of said body portion. a stripper disk welded to the lower end of said spring and surrounding the punch terminal of said punch, and a clip fastened to said body portion and having a part extending between adjacent convolutions of said spring to hold said stripper-unit in position around said punch.

13. In perforating means for perforating ilat sheetmaterial, a punch holding element, a die holding element, a punch member comprising a body portion secured to said punch holding element and having a punch removably therein and projecting therefrom, a stripper unit surrounding said punch and comprising a spiral spring bearing at one end against the underside of said body portion, a stripper disk secured to the lower end of said spring and surrounding the punch terminal of said punch and a clip fastened to said body portion and having a part extending between adjacent convolutions of said spring to hold said stripper unit in position around said punch, and a die member comprising a body portion secured to said die holding element and a die carried by said body portion for co-action with said punch.

LAWRENCE V. WHISTLER. SANFORD A. WHISTLER. 

